Linden

Uses

Principal Proposed Uses

Other Proposed Uses

Linden flowers have a pleasant, tangy taste, and for this reason the tree is sometimes called “lime flower.” Besides use in beverages and liqueurs, linden flower has a long history of medicinal use for such conditions as colds and flus, digestive distress, anxiety, migraine headaches, and insomnia. The wood of the linden tree has been used for liver problems, kidney stones, and gout.

What is Linden Used for Today?

Linden flower has been approved by
Germany’s Commission E
for the treatment of
cold symptoms
.
1
Unfortunately, there is no meaningful evidence that it is helpful for this purpose. Linden is said to promote sweating, and this in turn has long been presumed to be helpful for people with colds; however, there is no meaningful evidence that sweating helps colds, nor that linden promotes sweating.

Other proposed uses of linden also lack scientific support. Two exceedingly preliminary studies that evaluated linden flower for potential
sedative
or
anti-anxiety effects
returned contradictory results.
2,3
Very weak evidence hints that linden flower might help reduce symptoms of digestive upset
4-6
and
protect the liver
from toxins.
7
One highly preliminary study found possible anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects with linden leaf.
8
However, none of this research approaches the level of meaningful evidence. Only double-blind, placebo-controlled studies can show a treatment effective, and none have been performed on linden. (For information on why such studies are essential, see
Why Does This Database Rely on Double-blind Studies?
)

Other proposed benefits of linden that lack any meaningful supporting evidence include the claims that linden flower reduces
blood pressure
, prevents blood clots, and decreases risk of
stroke
or
heart attack
, and that linden bark can treat
viral hepatitis
.

Dosage

Linden flower is usually taken at a dose of 2–4 grams daily, often as tea. A daily dose of linden wood is prepared by boiling 15–40 grams in water for several hours.

Safety Issues

Linden is widely believed to be a safe herb, but it has not undergone comprehensive safety testing. Numerous texts state that when taken in high doses linden can be toxic to the heart, but this appears to have been a case of authors quoting one another for decades in succession; the original source of this concern is unclear. Safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or people with severe liver or kidney disease has not been established.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.